1

The US touches three oceans

Image: Daiwei Lu

Most people remember the Atlantic and the Pacific, but the Arctic often gets overlooked. Alaska’s northern edge dips into icy Arctic waters, technically giving the US access to all three. From sunbathing to snowshoeing, we’ve got the full spectrum of ocean vibes covered!

2

America has the shortest river in the world

Image: Gaurav Kumar

Montana is home to the Roe River, which runs for just 201 feet. That’s shorter than a city block! It flows from its source at Giant Springs to the Missouri River near Great Falls. Sure, it’s not as mighty as the Mississippi, but it holds the record for shortest river, and that’s enough to brag about.

3

Some NYC buildings are big enough to have their own zip codes

Image: Andrew Jephson

Most of us share a zip code with our neighbors. In New York City, though, some skyscrapers are so massive they have one all to themselves. You know the Empire State Building? Yep, it has its own zip code: 10118. The same goes for the MetLife and Chrysler Buildings. Manhattan alone has over 300 zip codes!

4

Alaska is the westernmost and easternmost state

Image: Rod Long

That’s right: Alaska holds the title as both the farthest west and farthest east state in the United States. How is that possible? Well, the Aleutian Islands, which belong to Alaska, stretch so far out that they cross the International Date Line and enter the Eastern Hemisphere. Isn’t that just fascinating?

5

From Stamford, CT, all roads lead to New York

Image: Matt Foxx

Picture this: no matter which direction you drive—north, south, east, or west— you can end up in New York if you start in Stamford, Connecticut. Heading east requires a boat, of course, but it still counts!

6

Florida and California don’t have the longest coastline

Image: Jakob Owens

Think sun and sand, and Florida or California might come to mind. But the state with the longest coastline is actually Alaska, by a long shot. With over 6,600 miles of shoreline, it beats the combined coastlines of all other states. Snow lovers will enjoy this one!

7

California has almost as many people as all of Canada

Image: Joseph Chan

Yes, the Golden State is that packed. California’s population hovers around 39 million, not enough to beat Canada, which has roughly 41 million. But give it two more years, and we’ll discuss this again. This may not sound so surprising, but bear in mind that we’re comparing a single state to a whole country!

8

Only two states are truly off on their own

Image: Dave Hoefler

Most states have neighbors, but that’s not the case for Alaska and Hawaii. They’re the loners of the country, separated by either the ocean or international borders. Meanwhile, Missouri and Tennessee are the social butterflies of the map, each touching eight other states. Whatever the number of neighbors, we love them all!

9

The four largest US cities (by area) are in Alaska

Image: Kedar Gadge

When we talk about big cities, most folks think of population. But if you’re measuring square miles, Alaska takes the cake. Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell, and Anchorage are the four largest cities by land area. You could fit entire states inside some of these!

10

The first US capital wasn’t D.C. or Philly

Image: Florian Wehde

Washington, D.C., may be the capital now, but it wasn’t the first, you know? That honor goes to New York City, which held the title for a couple of years after the Constitution was ratified. The capital later moved to Philadelphia and then finally settled in D.C.

11

Los Angeles had a name as long as your arm

Image: Roberto Nickson

Before it was known for Hollywood, Los Angeles had a name that would never fit on a postcard. The original Spanish settlers called it El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula . Translation? You try saying that! Thankfully, we shortened it. "L.A." is just easier for everyone.

12

Nebraska is the only triply landlocked state

Image: Laura Seaman

If you’re in Nebraska and want to see the ocean, you’ll have to cross at least three states. That makes it the most landlocked state in the U.S.—"triply landlocked," to be exact. For those craving a beach day, that’s a bit of a hike. But for folks who love open plains, it’s prime real estate.

1

Printer and newspaper editor

Image: Denny Müller

Benjamin Franklin wanted to be a sailor when he grew up. But his father had lost an older son of his at sea, so he sent him off to learn from his older brother, who was in the printing business. After learning the craft, he left Boston for Philadelphia at age 17 where he became a well-known printer of newspapers and an almanac full of wit and wisdom called Poor Richard’s Almanac , still in print to this day.

Franklin was a prolific author who wrote under several pseudonyms, including Silence Dogood, Polly Baker, and Richard Saunders.

2

Founding father

Image: Dan Mall

A well-known fact about Franklin is his role in the Nation’s foundation. He is the only person in history to have signed all four documents that helped to create the U.S. : the Declaration of Independence, The Treaty of Alliance, Amity, and Commerce with France, the Treaty of Peace between England, France, and the U.S., and the U.S. Constitution.

He famously quipped after signing the Constitution to the people that they had created a republic but warned it would only be one "if you can keep it."

3

American representative abroad

Image: Brett Wharton

A major player abroad, Benjamin Franklin spent years representing the colony of Pennsylvania in England and then later representing the U. S. in France . For his actions abroad, he became universally admired and renowned, playing an important role in securing a French alliance during the Revolutionary War. He also helped to negotiate the Treaty of Paris that officially ended the Revolutionary War.

4

Inventor

Image: AbsolutVision

His restless mind urged Franklin to be on the constant lookout for ways to improve the world through new inventions. His most famous creations were the bifocal glasses and the Franklin stove, but he also invented a pair of swim fins for his hands at age 11, and he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1968 for his many contributions to the sport.

As for the bifocals, when his vision worsened as he got older, he cut lenses from a pair of glasses that allowed him to see things close up and lenses from another pair of glasses that allowed him to see things far away. He put half of each lens in a single frame to invent bifocals.

5

Scientist

Image: NOAA

The immortal image of Franklin pulling a kite with a key attached to it, while in the middle of a thunderstorm brings us to probably the most famous of all his scientific discoveries: the realization that lightning was an electrical phenomenon . Benjamin Franklin didn’t discover electricity, as some people think, but proved the connection between electricity and lightning.

The whole key-kite-thunderstorm experiment led to his invention of lightning rods for buildings.

6

Musician

Image: Dominik Scythe

Few people know that Benjamin Franklin played several instruments , including the violin, harp, and guitar. He invented the glass armonica after seeing performers make music with glasses of water, which he played by touching the edge of the spinning glass with damp fingers.

In his letters, Franklin recounts many happy evenings playing the armonica alongside his daughter, Sally. "Of all my inventions," Franklin wrote, "the glass armonica has given me the most personal satisfaction."

7

Volunteer Fire Company creator

Image: Sandie Clarke

Worried by the fires that broke out constantly in the area, Franklin founded the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1736. This fire company was the first volunteer fire company of its kind in the U.S.

Soon after this volunteer fire company appeared, more and more fire companies spread across the city and soon all over the country, leading to a safer environment in relation to fires.

8

Postmaster

Image: Joanna Kosinska

Franklin was appointed postmaster of Philadelphia in 1737, holding the office until 1753, when he was named deputy postmaster–general of British North America , the first to hold the office. Franklin reorganized the service's accounting system and improved the speed of delivery between Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.

On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the United States Post Office and named Franklin as the first United States postmaster general . He had been a postmaster for decades and was a natural choice for the position.

9

Gulf Stream charterer

Image: Max Okhrimenko

Although it was first observed in 1513 by Ponce de Leon, the Gulf Stream was not charted until 1769 by our friend, Benjamin Franklin . Alexander Agassiz, a preeminent oceanographer of the 19th century, attributed the first scientific basis for exploring this stream to Franklin, who had published a map of the Gulf Stream in the previously mentioned year, 200 years before a submersible named after him drifted below the surface to study this river in the ocean.

10

Ben Franklin Effect

Image: Chris Liverani

The final entry on this list is dedicated to a psychological phenomenon known as the Ben Franklin effect. The basic concept behind this phenomenon is that people like someone more after doing a favor for them , and the reasoning is that people believe that they help others because they like them, even if they do not because their minds struggle to maintain logical consistency between their actions and perceptions.

Benjamin quoted what he described as an "old maxim" in his autobiography: "He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged."

1

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Image: Lachlan Donald

Originally named Hot Springs, the town changed its name in 1950 after a popular radio show. Host Ralph Edwards had promised to broadcast from the first town that renamed itself after the program.

The publicity stunt worked—Edwards visited annually for the next 50 years. Despite its playful name, Truth or Consequences is a legitimate spa town, known for natural hot springs and health resorts.

2

Accident, Maryland

Image: David Trinks

Surveyors in the 1700s accidentally claimed the same plot of land twice, giving rise to the town’s odd name. The mistake was eventually resolved, but the name stuck.

Today, Accident is a quiet town in Garrett County with fewer than 400 residents. It occasionally draws attention from curious travelers and lovers of unique place names.

3

Boring, Oregon

Image: everett mcintire

Named after William H. Boring, a Civil War veteran who settled in the area. Locals embraced the name, even forming a tongue-in-cheek partnership with Dull, Scotland, and later Bland, Australia, to form the so-called "Trinity of Tedium"—all in good fun!

Boring capitalizes on the irony with signs that read, "The most exciting place to live." It’s a quiet suburb of Portland with a strong farming history.

4

Chicken, Alaska

Image: Yiyi Yang

Miners wanted to name it after the ptarmigan, a local bird, but couldn’t agree on the spelling , so they went with "Chicken" instead.

Located near the Canadian border, Chicken has no phone service and a population of fewer than 20. It remains a favorite roadside stop along the Taylor Highway.

5

Booger Hole, West Virginia

Image: Sharosh Rajasekher

Named after ghost stories and tales of mysterious disappearances in the early 1900s. "Booger" was slang for ghost or boogeyman.

The area gained notoriety for several unsolved crimes, adding to its spooky reputation. Today, it’s mostly a rural area with a curious past and no official signage.

6

Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky

Image: Roger Starnes Sr

One origin story claims the name came from the area’s appearance on a map —it looked like the eyebrow on a monkey’s face.

Located in Ballard County, this unincorporated community doesn’t offer much beyond a memorable name. It’s a quiet farming region in western Kentucky.

7

Hell, Michigan

Image: Brad Switzer

Allegedly, this name came from a German traveler’s comment, "So schön hell!" meaning "so beautifully bright." In a humorous twist, however, locals took the "hell" part literally.

Today, tourism thrives on the name, with themed businesses like the Hell Hole Diner and even a wedding chapel. You can even buy a square inch of "Hell" online.

8

No Name, Colorado

Image: Holly Mandarich

When building a highway exit, engineers labeled the spot "No Name" as a placeholder. Locals voted to keep it that way.

Located near Glenwood Springs, it’s known for No Name Creek and the No Name Tunnel. It remains a photo favorite along I-70.

9

Toad Suck, Arkansas

Image: Claud Richmond

Likely comes from riverboat crews who drank at the local tavern until they "swelled up like toads." The "suck" refers to a river eddy—a swirling current in the water.

Today, the town is best known for the annual Toad Suck Daze festival, which celebrates the odd name with music, food, and toad races.

10

Satan's Kingdom, Massachusetts

Image: Jeffrey Clayton

Located near Northfield, this ominously named unincorporated village borders the Connecticut River. Despite its fiery name, it’s a mostly quiet rural area.

Legend says the name came after a churchgoer left a sermon about hellfire and saw a forest fire raging across the river —declaring that "Satan’s Kingdom was burning." A similarly named area exists in Vermont as well.

11

Why, Arizona

Image: Laura Mann

Named for the Y-shaped intersection of State Routes 85 and 86, the town had to adopt a name with at least three letters due to Arizona law, so "Y" became "Why."

Why lies near the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and remains a popular pit stop for desert road trippers.

12

Looneyville, Texas

Image: Vivian Arcidiacono

Named after store owner John Looney in the 1800s, Looneyville is not a joke—just an old Texas family name.

Looneyville is in Rusk County, deep in East Texas. It remains unincorporated but shows up on maps and road signs.